TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart Enjoys Meeting With Pat Narduzzi, Tim Salem

Rutgers tight end grad transfer Nakia Griffin-Stewart’s relationship with Pitt took another step yesterday evening as he met face-to-face with Pat Narduzzi and Tim Salem.

The Pitt coaches traveled to New Jersey in order to talk at length with Griffin-Stewart prior to his official visit to Pitt next weekend.

“It went really well,” said Griffin-Stewart. “Coach Salem and I have been talking since the day I was released so I know him a lot more. I know they call him “Turbo Tim” because he lives his life like 100 mph and is very energetic and has a real passion for what he does. That’s really cool to see and any player would want to be coached by someone like that.

“Then, meeting Coach Narduzzi for the first time was a good experience and we talked for about an hour and a half. We talked about football, academics, life after football and things like that. I really appreciated his approach to recruiting me. It was man to man and it was how this could benefit me both short and long-term. His approach towards me was great and I have nothing but positive things to say about him and our talk.”

Courtesy of Nakia Griffin-Stewart

“I’ll just say that when they left, I didn’t have any unanswered questions about Pitt,” said Griffin-Stewart. “The only answered questions are going to have to be answered when I take my visit. How are the coaches in the film room, how’s the play-calling structure, what’s the identity of the offense, what’s the campus like and everything like that. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve heard about them so far and I’m just excited to make a visit so I can get a grasp of what it’s really like at the University of Pittsburgh.”

Maryland is a place that Griffin-Stewart is also considering but it appears as though Pitt sits in a pretty good position to finally add a starting caliber tight end to the 2019 roster.

“I think the Pitt program is really going in the right direction, going to the ACC Championship game was a huge deal and winning their side of the division. I’m real excited for the visit, excited to go in the film room with the coaches and find out about their mindset and what they’re exactly looking for. Right now, Pitt is in a really good spot in my mind and everything is going well.”